ISLAMABAD, Jan 11 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Wednesday said that as the country had ample stocks of wheat, no one would be allowed to indulge in unjust profiteering by creating artificial shortage of the commodity.
He urged the provinces to ensure timely supply of wheat to flour mills from their own as well as PASSCO’s reserves and improve governance in this regard.
The Prime Minister was presiding over a high-level meeting regarding the artificial shortage of wheat, hoarding and unjust profiteering.
The meeting, which was attended by Minister for Food Security Tariq Bashir Cheema, Advisor to PM Ahad Cheema, senior officials and provincial Chief Secretaries, reviewed the current situation and stocks of wheat in the country.
The Prime Minister said that owing to the steps taken by the government, the price of wheat flour had witnessed a decrease of around Rs. 1000 per 40kg bag over the last five days, which was a good omen.
He urged the relevant federal and provincial institutions to take strict measures against the hoarders of wheat and flour, adding, the government will bring those hitting the poor masses with inflation through artificial shortage of flour to justice
During the meeting, the Prime Minister was told that as the country had ample stocks of wheat, the provinces were being directed to further speed up the supply of wheat from the reserves of PASSCO to flour mills.
It was told that 1.3 million metric tons of exported wheat had reached the country, whereas another matching stock will also reach by the end of January.
The meeting was further told that by end of season during the current year, the carryforward stock of 1.4 million metric tons of wheat will be available which will be enough to meet country’s food requirements before the start of new season.
The Prime Minister expressed his confidence over the current stocks of wheat in the country and directed the provinces to improve governance regarding the supply of wheat and flour.
